Boris Johnson reshuffles his Cabinet ministers: who's in and who's out?

Boris Johnson is carrying out a mini-reshuffle of his Cabinet. 

The move follows resignations that saw some of the most influential figures in Mr Johnson's administration leave Downing Street. The departure of Munira Mirza, head of the Number 10 policy unit and close ally of Mr Johnson for 14 years came as a particular shock to those working in No10.

Then Dan Rosenfield, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Martin Reynolds, his most senior official, and Jack Doyle, No10’s communications chief, all departed - possible victims of the "partygate" controversy that has seen the Tories’ poll ratings slump after weeks of damaging reports.

In response to the "failures of leadership" identified by senior civil servant Sue Gray in her report on the alleged parties held in Downing Street and Whitehall during lockdown, Mr Johnson last week assured Conservative MPs that he would reshape the team around him. 

Follow the latest updates as the day unfolds here.

Who's in and who's out?

Jacob Rees-Mogg

Was: Leader of the Commons

Now: Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government efficiency

The new Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government efficiency in the Cabinet Office, Mr Rees-Mogg will remain a member of the Cabinet.

Handing Mr Rees-Mogg a Brexit brief makes sense, given he is an ardent Brexiteer who continues to champion the UK's EU exit. He will be picking up some of the slack created by Stephen Barclay becoming Boris Johnson's new Chief of Staff.

Mr Barclay is remaining as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, which created huge questions about what happens to his existing briefs given the new workload.  Mr Rees-Mogg will sit in the Cabinet Office and take over government efficiency - a brief which had previously sat with Mr Barclay.

Mr Rees-Mogg was the chair of the European Research Group (ERG) of Tory Brexiteers and focused his fire on Theresa May's Brexit proposals, urging the former Prime Minister to "chuck Chequers".

Mark Spencer

Was: Chief Whip

Now: Lord President of the Council and Leader of the Commons

It is a significant change as he has been Chief Whip ever since Mr Johnson became Prime Minister in July 2019. In his new role, Mr Spencer will take business questions in the House of Commons every Thursday morning.

On Sat, Jan 22, Mr Spencer broke cover to deny incendiary claims by Nusrat Ghani, a 1922 Committee vice-chairman, that a whip said her "Muslimness" was raised at a meeting that led to her sacking in 2020.

He also came under pressure last month to justify the tactics employed by his "enforcers" after claims by William Wragg, a backbench MP, that colleagues had been "threatened" with funding cuts.

Chris Heaton-Harris 

Was: Europe minister

Now: Chief Whip

The MP for Daventry has replaced Mr Spencer as Chief Whip. He has previously whipped for the Conservatives in the European Parliament and has been part of the pro-Boris Johnson 'shadow whipping' operation in recent weeks.

He was previously Europe minister at the Foreign Office and, before that, served as a transport minister under Grant Shapps. As with several of Mr Johnson's new appointments, he is to attend Cabinet.

A Eurosceptic, Mr Heaton-Harris served as the chairman of the ERG from 2010 to 2016 and is also a former Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. He was an MEP for 10 years before his election to Westminster in 2010.

Michael Ellis

Was: Paymaster General

Now: Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General

Mr Ellis is staying on in his current role as Paymaster General but will also take on a new role as Minister for the Cabinet Office. He will also attend Cabinet in his new post.

Mr Ellis was sent by the Prime Minister to set out the terms of reference for Sue Gray's report into alleged lockdown-busting parties at Downing Street, and he had to field difficult questions from across the House.

It should ease the pressure on Steve Barclay, who is in charge of the Cabinet Office, after Mr Barclay was also appointed as Boris Johnson's new Chief of Staff at No 10.

Heather Wheeler

Was: Assistant Government Whip

Now: Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office and Assistant Government Whip

Heather Wheeler, who is already an assistant government Whip, is reported by Sky News and GB News to have become a Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

This will involve Ms Wheeler, the MP for South Derbyshire, assisting a more senior minister with their work, and will further lighten Mr Barclay's load.

Stuart Andrew

Was: Deputy Chief Whip

Now: Minister for Housing

Mr Andrew confirmed to the Telegraph he will become the Minister for Housing in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The MP for Pudsey since 2010, he previously held the position of Treasurer of HM Household and was a Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons.

Many have noted Mr Andrew is the eleventh housing minister since 2010. His predecessors include current Cabinet ministers Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps, and Brandon Lewis.

James Cleverly

Was: Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and North America

Now: Minister for Europe

A former co-chairman of the Conservative Party, Mr Cleverly has moved sideways at the Foreign Office from Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and North America to Minister for Europe.

He has been an MP since 2015 and supported Brexit in the 2016 European Union membership referendum.

It is unclear whether he will retain his America brief - if not could be quite awkward, as he is currently on a visit to the United States.